Pachysphinx modesta — Modest Sphinx

Harris 1839

Hodges# 7828

Etymology

Pachysphinx: Combination of the Greek word pachy meaning “thick” and sphinx which means “to draw tight.” Both words refernce traits of the caterpillar. The thick terminal stripe on the caterpillar is likely the origin of the use of the word pachy. Sphinx is a typical name given to this group of moths because the caterpillar resembled an Egyptian Sphinx, especially in a defense posture.

Modesta: The feminine version of the Latin word modestus, which refers to the darker tone of the bottom of the wings which seemed to cloak the moth in a modest shawl or covering.

Pronunciation

PACK-ee-sfinks Mow-dest-uh

Other Common Names

Big Poplar Sphinx

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Modest Sphinx moth in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2024-07-24	Marion	Judkins, Lane
2024-07-22	Marion	Garrity, Misty	Mating
2024-06-07	Ripley	Jaskula, Jeanette
2022-06-03	Hendricks	Price, Tina	Adult
2022-06-03	Hendricks	Price, Tina	Adult
2018-08-14	Montgomery	Taylor, Michael	Adult
2018-08-12	Hamiton	Maddy, Gina	Adult
2018-06-04	Madison	McKay, Connie	Adults Mating
2018-05-26	Marion	Shoemaker, Heidi	Adult
2017-07-31	Hendricks	Price, Sheryl	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2024-07-24 County: Marion Observer: Judkins, Lane Notes:
Date: 2024-07-22 County: Marion Observer: Garrity, Misty Notes: Mating
Date: 2024-06-07 County: Ripley Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2022-06-03 County: Hendricks Observer: Price, Tina Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-03 County: Hendricks Observer: Price, Tina Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-08-14 County: Montgomery Observer: Taylor, Michael Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-08-12 County: Hamiton Observer: Maddy, Gina Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-06-04 County: Madison Observer: McKay, Connie Notes: Adults Mating
Date: 2018-05-26 County: Marion Observer: Shoemaker, Heidi Notes: Adult
Date: 2017-07-31 County: Hendricks Observer: Price, Sheryl Notes: Adult

Pachysphinx modesta Sightings by Month

Notes

After eating the leaf it is hosting on, the Modest Sphinx caterpillar will chew through the petiole of the leaf in order to make it fall to the ground. By discarding damaged leaves they can avoid tipping off predators that look for chewed leaves in order to find caterpillars.

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)
• National status: N4/N5 (apparently secure/secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

Floral Associates

Modest Sphinx caterpillars host on a small variety of trees. Adults do not feed.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Betula spp.	birches
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Malus spp.	apples and crabapples
Order: Salicales
Salicaceae	Populus spp.	poplars
	Salix spp.	willows